Punjabi Antenna
Makeover most absorbing
Randeep Wadehra

When a TV show changes its format, the results can be unpredictable. To illustrate this point let us cite some. Punjab Speaks had begun as a studio-based talk show that dealt with issues ranging from developmental, to political to cultural—all within Punjab. But suddenly it shed its desi content, tone and tenor and went firang with a vengeance. Presently, the show is covering Punjabi diaspora in the UK. Apart from focusing on individual success stories there, the show investigates such societal issues as gender equality, dowry and inter-caste marriage among the Punjabis settled there.

Surprisingly, the near unanimous view was that the attitudes were more liberal/progressive "back home" than among "UK Punjabis". Sorry for the digression, but the point is that the makeover has turned Punjab Speaks into an absorbing show. Even Good Morning Punjab has tinkered with its format with happy results. The interviews with invited celebrities are not anymore interrupted with health or film/music-related productions.

Now, each is presented in a distinct and compact slot, thus enhancing the viewing experience. Readers may recall that some time back this column had made exactly this suggestion, pointing out how irritating interruptions and overlaps were proving to be. Looks like someone there has been reading this column with interest.

On the other hand, the attractiveness of Lok Bani has plummeted ever since it changed its role from being a platform for airing the aam aadmi’s governance-related angst and grievance to becoming a rather politician-friendly PR set-up. Surely, politicians have plenty of avenues and resources to blow their own trumpets; where is the need for the media to become facilitators in this respect? No politician deserves to be treated with kid gloves. Lok Bani must revert to its original trenchant tone and tenor and resume its former people-friendly format in order to redeem its image.

Sports and media have a thriving symbiotic relationship. But some sports do not get the needed media attention. Of these, hockey and kabaddi in particular have been at the receiving end of this apathy. PTC Punjabi has stepped in to rectify the situation to an appreciable extent. Some time back it had telecast live the finals of Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament, and now it has followed up with live telecast of the Indo-Pak kabaddi series that concluded on November14. Particularly pleased among viewers were the old-timers who appreciated the holding of Punjabi style kabaddi in vintage mela-type ambience, accompanied with colourful commentary which was laced with rustic humour. Onstage renderings by such renowned singers as Barkat Sidhu and others added to the show’s appeal.

Talking of singers, Punjab is blessed with some of the best in the country. On November 12 PTC News paid tributes to the legendary KL Sehgal. Other legendary singers like Surinder Kaur and Asa Singh Mastana have left behind an impressive corpus of memorable songs—both folk and light classical. Sublime poetry by Bulle Shah, Ghulam Farid and Waris Shah et al only make us Punjabis feel twice blessed.

Sa Re Ga Ma has done well to bring out an album titled Nine gems from Punjab comprising nine songs rendered by Mastana and Surinder Kaur—two of which are duets. Lyrics are by Shah Hussein, Waris, Bulle, Farid and others. Best time to listen: evenings, just when birds are returning to their nests on trees chirping in chorus.

With the sublime comes the earthy. Fast, high-decibel music coalesces with catchy love lyrics to produce a foot-tapping album Rhythm Shakers. Elders might frown but youngsters are going to love this one.